The World's Music at Oxford: Maya Youssef
- Date 20 November 2020 - 8.00 p.m.
- Location Online event
We are thrilled to announce that virtuoso Syrian qanun player Maya Youssef will be performing in our first online live streamed event of 2020-2021.
Now based in the UK, Maya Youssef is hailed as ‘queen of the qanun,’ the 78-stringed Middle Eastern plucked zither. Maya’s intense and thoughtful music is rooted in the Arabic classical tradition but forges pathways into jazz, Western classical and Latin styles. It explores the emotional and healing qualities of music. For her, the act of playing music is the opposite of death and destruction; it is a life- and hope-affirming act and an antidote to what is happening, not only in Syria but in the whole world.
Her debut album Syrian Dreams, produced by the legendary Joe Boyd, was highly-acclaimed in music press around the world and has led to many awards, performances on prestigious stages such as the BBC Proms and WOMAD and recognition from the British government of her status as an exceptional artistic talent. In perhaps her highest honour, the Year 6 class of Dalmain Primary School in London is named ‘Youssef’ in recognition of her inspirational work. Find out more about Maya here.
The event will be live streamed on our Facebook page on 20th November 2020 at 8pm GMT.
You can find more information on the event's Facebook page and on the World's Music at Oxford website
.The event is free and open to all - just tune in and enjoy!
The World's Music at Oxford
The World’s Music at Oxford is a project run at the University of Oxford, which blends research into global musics with live performance. Our concerts are open to all students of the University and members of the general public.
The project, created in 2016, is run by postgraduate students researching a wide range of global musics. It aims to provide a platform for voices and musical styles rarely heard in Oxford and to build new links between the University and the general public.
Our events showcase renowned performers from the UK and abroad. During the performances, the musicians also explain the characteristics and contexts of the works they perform.
In 2020-2021, our concerts will be streamed live online, bringing music from some of the most exciting artists from all around the world straight to your home.
The World’s Music at Oxford is generously supported by St John’s College. We are also grateful to the AHRC-TORCH Graduate Fund, the St John’s College MCR, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Oxford University Music Faculty for previous support.